Miracles of Modern Science is mad about quirky music

Musicians and mad scientists are one in the same for New York based band Miracles of Modern Science.

"It's a metaphor for the way we write songs," says Evan Younger, singer and double bass player. "We construct or channel our ideas to songs that will be accessible and fun, but we do it in a sort of Frankenstein way."

It's all about the experiment of songwriting and creating music for the five 20-somethings, who include Josh Hirshfeld, Kieran Ledwidge, Geoff McDonald and Tyler Pines

Miracles of Modern Science consists of four string instruments and drums, but it is far from bluegrass. Instead, the music is upbeat dance style with with a pop, rock feel.

As for the band name, Hirshfeld, who plays mandolin and vocals, came up with it one day and it stuck. It had a "hokey ring to it," says Younger, which suits them because of their interest in cognitive science and their geeky instruments.

The music is not what you expect and that's exactly how the band likes it. The string instruments — double bass, mandolin, violin and cello — are used in unexpected ways to create songs with life.

The group has one EP, "MEEMS," released this year, and one full length album, "Dog Year," released in 2011.

Younger says that each CD features the band playing in a room together without any studio effects or dubs. Members work hard to pull new sounds from their acoustic instruments.

"Dog Year" was a six year process. Younger says a lot of the songs are about breakups and relationships, but with a sci-fi twist.

Song titles include "Space Chopper," "I Found Space" and "Quantum of Solace."

In "MEEMS," the band explores different ways of looking at the passing of time and the future. The songs have poppy dance beats. Younger says they're "off the wall."

"Dear Pressure" is about taking the right opportunities in life and reflecting on regrets, says Younger, with lyrics such as "I see myself at 94, spare dreams stuck on life support. No wait, if that's what lies ahead I'll change or put it off and dream when I'm dead." The song has a cool sound. The instruments blend, but each sound stands out.

"The Singularity" is also about life and science, "By the time that we all go deaf, I know that we'll find a cure for it, yeah." It questions the way band members spent their 20s and their youth. It's an anthem for the future and overcoming death. "Our evolution is underway, and it's exponential. There's no reason to be afraid."

Miracles of Modern Science also does covers of pop songs such as Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" and Daft Punk's "Get Lucky."

Hirshfeld and Younger met while in college at Princeton and wanted to form a rock band. They began looking for players, and when they were drawn to string players they began thinking about creating something completely different from other bands on campus. So the string band with drums wasn't intentional. It just happened.

In 2005, Miracles of Modern Science was a quartet and became serious about the music. After graduation in 2008, members moved to New York together and have been making music ever since.

The mad scientists run band practice democratically, each taking turns leading. The group uses an app that chooses a number from one to five and the number decides which band member runs rehearsal. Hirshfeld and Younger handle booking and management.

Perfection is key to the guys, who take the music seriously. However, they don't take themselves too seriously.

When the group first started, band members would dress up in space suits to add to the sci-fi feel. From 2005 to 2009 they wore the black suits with silver shoulder pads and white boots. But the suits started falling apart — and developed a smell — so they ditched the costumes.

They worried that they needed the costumes to project their image, but decided that their music — and personalities — was were enough.

"The primary dynamic is five friends who still enjoy each other's company," Younger says.